An Early Morning Walk
January 7, 2009
It was six in the morning when we decided to visit the “pantalan”, the Tagalog term for pier. We knew that there will be a lot of fresh seafoods for sale today because the night before was perfect for fishing. Carrying my daughter, I decided to explore the area since this is only my second time to be here. My first was when I was six years old - to think that my lola’s (grandma’s) house was located only 15 minutes away.
Everywhere around me, I saw traditional practices of Filipinos and I realized how much I longed for this simple living. The manang (Ilocano term which means older sister) was already busy cooking for breakfast and while the fisherman was unloading his catch. The tricycle driver (a traditional form of transportation in rural Philippines, similar to Thailand’s tuk-tuk) is drinking his morning coffee as two children, a brother and sister, were already playing. Life here was so much easier, despite it being a “city”. Apparently, with the construction of two “malls” (one one-storey building, and the other boasts of a two-storey architechture) has allowed an increase in income in the area, enabling it to become a city. In truth, its being a city is only in name but the area is still filled with its rural character.
I have never felt as peaceful as I did that day. With the hustle and bustle around, I felt that I was finally home. You know what? It must have been that water that attracted me because I get the same feeling everytime I’m near the beach. Perhaps I was a mermaid in my past life. My “it’s complicated” partner would probably disagree, but one thing’s for sure: Water is my element. And here, amidst that vast ocean, I find my peace.
